Watch: Kentucky Derby Favorite Forte Makes a Grand Entry as He Arrives at Churchill Downs for the Big Day

On the first Saturday of May in 2023, the 148th run of the Kentucky Derby will take place. Every year, there is one horse that the equestrian community hopes will completely dominate the field in the most prestigious Derby in all of horse racing. As in previous years, Forte’s efforts leading up to the 2023 contest have earned him the title of the pre-race star.

Forte has earned the audience’s confidence as a favorite to win the 2023 Kentucky Derby thanks to his performance over the last year. The equestrian community is intrigued by the fan favorite Derby horse. Therefore, the recent journey from South Florida to Churchill Downs was widely reported on Twitter.

The stallion gets ready to surprise the equestrian world

Forte is one of the most successful horses on the road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby, having won the Hopeful (G1), Breeders’ Futurity (G1), and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1). Early this year, the beast was just as successful, taking first place in the Florida Derby (G1) and second in the Fountain of Youth (G2). Forte, the son of the racehorse Violence, has shown himself to be the most talented of his siblings, the last year in equestrian competitions.

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This week’s Kentucky Derby is quickly approaching, and the week before, the magnificent horse left its stable in South Florida and was placed into the van that would carry him to his destination, Churchill Downs. Journalist Sterling Riggs also posted a video on his Twitter when Forte arrived at his destination, saying, “The Kentucky Derby favorite, Forte, arrived at Churchill this morning. Welcome to Kentucky and good luck. @WDRBNews.” The advent of the horse itself creates excitement, since many expect him to win the Derby this year.

The star jockey to ride this magnificent creature

The rider who would ride the outstanding Forte is also no stranger to equestrian events, adding to the high probability of victory. Since 2012, the Puerto Rican jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. has been among the best on the New York Thoroughbred circuit. The jockey has also competed in the Kentucky Derby many times since 2014. Despite his impressive record, Ortiz has yet to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby. However, he believes this year will be the year that he finally breaks through with his pairing with the much-tipped Forte.

In the 2019 Kentucky Derby, Ortiz rode a Derby favorite. While riding Improbable, he finished the race in fifth place and was ultimately passed for fourth. The year 2019 was not a good one for the Puerto Rican jockey since he lost with the Derby favorite. With Ortiz and Forte’s dominance shown by their six victories in seven races together, the star has been training very hard for this year’s Derby. Forte won the 2022 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Keeneland, making him the champion 2-year-old male. After winning that race, he was allowed to rest for four months while under trainer Todd Pletcher’s care, and he went on to win as the heavy favorite twice at Gulfstream Park. As the weeks pass and their win is anticipated, the stallion and his rider become closer.

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Due to the horse’s impressive record, equestrian sports supporters are optimistic that their favorite will win the forthcoming Derby.